Who Goes Here?

Because MATC offers an incredibly broad range of educational services, we are unique in Wisconsin, and our student body is uniquely, richly diverse. Here you will encounter everyone from immigrants learning English to university graduates continuing their professional development.

Our student demographics range across the entire socioeconomic spectrum. Being a student at MATC exposes you to a complete cross-section of an emerging America that values diversity as a tremendous source of strength.

We especially pride ourselves on serving the disadvantaged.

• Many students are the first members of their families to go to college.

• Slightly less than one-third of MATC students are low-income.

• About 10,000 students per year receive financial aid.

A breakdown of our student body by ethnicity:

• White - 56%

• African American - 26%

• Hispanic - 13%

• Asian American - 4%

• Native American/Alaskan Native - 1%

In recent years, students' per-capita credit load has edged upward; many people appear to be intensifying their studies and reaching their goals sooner. Also edging upward is the number of new students admitted directly from high school who attend college full time.

This doesn't change the fact that MATC was built for working students.

• Part-time attendees comprise about 90% of our total population.

While we do not gather research on the number who are raising families, all indications point to a substantial percentage. Little surprise, then, that more than 40% of our students are taking evening, weekend and online classes.

• The number of students with jobs and families partially explains why our student body trends somewhat older (median age 28) than at traditional four-year colleges.

We remain deeply committed to occupational training.

• Slightly more than one-third of all students are pursuing associate degrees.

• Slightly more than one-fourth of all students are continuing their education to advance existing careers.

The academic marketplace is changing, though, with increasing numbers of people setting their sights on bachelor's degrees and beyond. Over the last five years, they have comprised the fastest growing segment of MATC students.

This trend appears dramatically in the college's statistics on annual full-time-equivalent enrollment ("FTE"). FTE equals the total number of full loads taught by MATC in an academic year, with a full load defined as 30 credits.

• Liberal Arts and Sciences students on their way to four-year degrees currently account for 23% of FTE and climbing.

• And that doesn't count the thousands of students enrolled in occupational programs that also can lead to four-year degrees.

Accordingly, since 2002, the college has more than tripled the number of credit transfer agreements with four-year colleges and universities. The latest development is the creation of guaranteed-admission programs such as Badger Track, aligned with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Panther Tracks, aligned with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

In terms of head count - total number of people taking classes at MATC - liberal arts transfer students make up 7% of our population.

• Pursuing an associate degree - 38%

• Engaged in continuing education enrichment - 26%

• College-preparatory studies - 24%

• Technical diploma/apprentice students - 5%

Hands-on, job-focused skills training always will remain a strong focus of MATC because it is important to our students, and because it contributes to a strong local economy.

When graduates are asked their reasons for attending MATC, 36% say they needed job training, with quick employment as their goal.

• Another 30% wanted to change careers.

• 13% were here to improve skills.

• 15% were preparing for further education.

• 4% were pursuing a personal interest.

In considering whether to go here, we invite you to explore these other informational resources on www.matc.edu:

Why MATC
The MATC Story
MATC NOW
Annual Report
Graduate Report